Adware firm 180solutions in image makeover

Call in Trinny and Susannah

Adware maker 180solutions has embarked on an image makeover with a campaign to notify users that its software is installed on their systems and tips on removing its software. On Tuesday, 180solutions said it had begun "re-notifying its 20m users in a stepped-up effort to educate consumers and ensure each of its customers has received proper disclosure and given informed consent".

According to 180solutions, the re-notification programme is part of a wider effort to make sure "rogue distributors" can no longer illicitly install its software on PCs. These efforts including enhancements to its 180search Assistant and Zango applications as well severing ties with "more than 400 websites that have breached the company's strict code of conduct."

180solutions is under pressure to clean up its act on several fronts such as threat of litigation, financial pressure from investors and blacklisting by anti-spyware firms. Anti-spyware consortium Coast collapsed in April weeks after its decision to admit 180solutions, which describes itself as a provider of search marketing solutions, to its ranks. CA (here) and other vendors such as McAfee (here) describe 180solutions' software as adware. 180solutions said that the adware accusation, which it contests, is in any case outdated. ®